Zhang Fenfen, one of the residents involved in shanty areas refurbishment, prepares to move into her new home. [Photo by Wu Zheyu/chinadaily.com.cn]

Unlike Zhan, Zhang Fenfen, chose the ready property placement for the convenience of taking care of elders, as they bought another apartment for their parents just in front of theirs.

"I happen to work in the resettlement residential community and know about the situation here, the good condition of facilities and infrastructure of this community shows comprehensive consideration from our local government." Zhang said.

According to Yu Zaosheng, director of housing administration in Yugan county, three factors are critical for the project's success: first, the formulation of a compensation proposal for the program on the principle of offering benefits to the people, serving the people, and considering the advice of every resident involved. Second, firm leadership, with the program team dealing with extreme pressure from all sides on a daily basis, especially when it comes to economic disputes among residents. Third, the dedication of front-line staff and cooperation among various departments.

"At first we are all suffering misunderstanding and hostility from residents, they act drastically to show their anger, such as pouring dirty water when government staffers visit their homes, protesting outside the local government offices, Yu recalls. While they didn't give in, they visited them from time to time, explaining the details of policy to them.

Zhang Xingao had a similar experience. One of the targeted residents impressed him most: Yu Xige, who's more than 50 years old and suffering from many illnesses, was extremely hard to communicate with. "At first we couldn't even reach him near the hospital, because seeing us wearing masks [in order to protect the staffers from his infectious diseases], he felt a strong distrust for us and resisted moving out of his old house.

"Meanwhile, we insisted on caring and providing help for them for over three months, carrying Yu on my back to visit the hospital, helping his wife do housework, slowly melting his heart, and after moving into a new house, he was the first to deliver a silk banner to us showing his deep appreciation."

Yu Xige also expressed his sincere gratitude to a reporter from People's Daily in an interview: "Zhang treats us like his own parents, I could feel an emotional attachment to him "

Guided by the slogan "By the people, For the people", Yugan county's planning its new unobstructed road network, more scientific urban planning and comprehensive infrastructure for new communities when the entire shanty area project is completed next year.